Line-spacing-lock mechanism for type-writing machines.



Patented luly |,-l902. R. J. FISHER.

LINE SPACING LOB K MEGHANISM'FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Apr. 30, 1901.)

(No Model.)

2 SheetsSheet l.

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Nu. 703,954. Patented July I, I902. R; J. FISHER. LINE SPACING LOCK MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Apr. 30, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER, OE ATHENS, TENNESSEE, ASs'IeNOR TO THE FISHER BO K TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

LINE-S PACING-LOCK MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINEST SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,954, dated July 1, 1902.

Application filed April 80, 1901. Serial No- 58i 181. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Athens, in the county of McMinn and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Line- Spacing-Lock Mechanism for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionrelates to type-writing machines, and has special reference to line-spacing-lock mechanism therefor, the object being to provide means for locking the machine against relative movement with respect to the platen in the direction of line-spacing, so that after the machine has been advanced to the extent determined by the line-spacing mechanism said machine will be locked against movement either forward or backward until the line-spacing mechanism is again Operated or until the Operator 'desires'to move the ma chine a considerable distance either forward or backward independently of the line-spacing mechanism. 7

The invention has special reference to the improvement of type-writing machines which print upon a sheet in a'fiat or spread-out condition, and which machines include in their general organization a printing mechanism traveling overa flat platen. In this class of machines particularly there is a tendency under some conditions for the printing mechanism to become slightly displaced with reference to the line-spaces by reason of the disposition Of the machine-frame to move out of its adjusted position because of the violent vibration to which the machine-frame is subjected by the rapid manipulation of the carriage for the printing mechanism. The central thought involved in the present improvement, therefore, isthe locking of the machine in its adjusted positions against movement with respect to the platen; and to this end the invention contemplates the provision of what may be termed a, line-spacing-lock device arranged to engage and lock the spacing element of the machine.

The invention further contemplates the provision of means for releasing the line-spacing-lockdevice automatically through the manipulation of the line-spacin g mechanism and immediately before the rotation of'the spacing element is effected for the purpose of advancing the machine a predetermined distance.

, In its further development the invention also contemplates the actuation of the linespacing look by means entirely independent of the line-spacing mechanisnn'this means being preferably embodied in a release-lever located at a point more or less remote from the line-spacing mechanism-as, for instance, upon the center or intermediate baror standard of the machine-frame or at such other point as may be necessary to facilitate the unlocking of the line-lock by the operator simultaneously with theact of grasping the machine-frame to move it overthe'platen in the direction of the line-spacing.

Viewed in its several aspects, therefore, the invention may he said to constitute, first, a line-spacing lock independent of the linespacing mechanism; second, a line-spacing lock distinct from but operated by the linespacing mechanism; third, a line-spacinglock arranged to be automatically released by the actuation of the line-spacing mechanism to permit the unrestricted use of the latter or by means Ofareleasedevicelocated'and arranged .so as to enable the operator to release the line-spacing look by the act of grasping that portion of the machine-frame which is utilized as a grip in freely moving the machineframe Over the platen. Thus while the machine-frame is normally locked in position the special adaptation of the line -spacing-lock mechanism and its operating devices provides for the intermittent advancement of the machine as the work progresses and for the free movement of the traveling machine-frame backward and forward over the platen.

Many other objects and advantages will more fully appear as the nature of the invention is better understood from the succeeding description of the various features'of construction, combinations of devices, and arrangements of parts constituting one embodiment of the invention, which is embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

The several instrumentalities comprising the liue-spacing-lockmechanism and the fundamental features thereof,providing fora plurality of separate and independent releasing devices, are necessarily susceptible to a wide range of variation and modification without departing from the scope of the invention; but for illustrative purposes a simple and officient form or embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of so much of a book type-writing machine as is necessary for the illustration of my present invention, the line-spacing lock being shown in its gripped or locked position. Fig 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the machine-frame, line-spacing mechanism,

and the line-spacing lock, the released or unlocked position of the line-spacing lock produced by the initial movement of the actuator or line-spacing lever being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts in the position they assume when the actuator has been advanced to the limit of its movement for the purpose of advancing the machine-frame the distance of one linespace. Fig. 4 is still another sectional elevationvs imilar to Figs. 2 and 3, but showing the line 'spacing lock released or unlocked by the release-lever located at the center bar of the frame. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View showing the construction, mounting and relative arrangement of the locking members or dogs, the line-lock shaft, and the line-spacing-lock lever. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing the construction, mounting, and arrangement of the line-spacing-lock-releasing lever at" the center of the frame. Fig. 7 is a detail viewof the members or dogs of the line-spac ing lock. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective View of the line-spacing-lock lever, and Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the outer end of the,

line-spacing-lock shaft.

Like numerals of reference designate cor-' responding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The novel relation of instrumentalities C011",

stituting the improved line-spacing-lock mechanism are necessarily capable of general application to any type of type-writing machine in which the line-spacing is effected by an actuator, and while some structural changes may be involved in thus adapting the or back and which effect the automatic release of the line-spacing lock either when the line-spacing mechanism is operated or whenthe movable machine member is intended to be freely moved in either direction, it being immaterial whether the member locked by the line-spacing-lock mechanism is embodied in the machine-frame or in the platen. It is sufficient that the line'spacinglock mechanism is effective to prevent relative movementbetween the platen and the machine-frame in the direction of the linefor-line progression or retrogression of the type-writing. The invention is particularly applicable, however, to what are known as book type-writers, and in order to demonstrate its special utility in connection with this type of machines the same is shown for illustrative purposes as associated with a Fisher book type-writing machine, such as are now onthe market. This type of machine is especially intended for writing in books and on letter-sheets, as well as for making up records and reports, and the form of Fisher machine shown in the drawings is of the same generalnature as the similar machine disclosed, for example, in the patents to R. J. Fisher, No. 562,625 and No. 573,868. This machine involves in its general organization a traveling machine-frame 1, carrying the printing mechanism (not shown) and hav ing arranged at the front side thereof arotatable propelling or spacing spindle 2, mounted in suitable bearing-brackets 3, projecting from the front side of the frame and carrying the usual pinions 4, meshing with the main track-rails 5, which are arranged upon the platen 6 in the usual manner.

The propelling or spacing spindle 2 in the type of machine shown in the drawings has suitable line-spacing mechanism associated directly therewith, and as this spindle accomplishes the same spacing movement as the roller-platen of a letter type-writing machine or the movable element of any machine which is actuated by the line-spacing mechanism it will be understood that the said propelling or spacing spindle 2 illustrates broadly the movable machine member, which is actuated intermittently by the line-spacing mech- IIO anism and which isdesigned to be locked'by the line-locking mechanism in order to prevent the accidental movement of the movable book type-writing machine a form of linespacing mechanism which has been made the subject of an application for Letters Patent in the name of Charles F. Laganke, No. 46,376. This Laganke line-spacing mechanism is designedto actuate the movable machine member 2 through the medium of the spacing element carried by the member 2 and designated by the reference-numeral 7. This spacing element corresponds in function to. the ratchet-disks or ratchet-surfaces employed in other types of line-spacing mechanism. In its preferred form said spacing element consists of a disk or wheel having a knurled or milled peripheral edge 8, which presents a gripping-surface for the actuator to be described. Motion is imparted to the spacing element or wheel 7, and consequently to the movable machine member 2, with which it is connected, through the medium of the actuator 12. This actuator may be of any desired form, but preferably consists, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings, of a spacing-lever having at its outer end a key or finger-plate 13, which is engaged by the finger of the operator to depress the said ac tuator or lever 12. This line-spacing lever 12 is designed to have a swinging movement of a sufficient extent to provide for the desired spacing and is supported in operative relation to the element or wheel 7 by a rockerarm 14.

The arm 14 in the construction shown is arranged at one side of the spacing element or wheel 7 and is pivotally hung at one endas, for instance, upon a collar (notillustrated) fixed upon the spindle 2 immediately adjacent to the wheel 7thus permitting the arm to freely swing independently of said spindle when the actuator or spacing-lever 12 is not operatively engaged with the peripheral edge of the wheel 7. The rocker-arm 14 is of greater length than one-half the diameter of the wheel 7, so as to extend beyond the periphery of the latter to provide a swinging support for the lever or actuator 12, and the latter is connected to said rocker-arm-at or contiguous to the outer swinging end thereof by means of a suitable pivotal connection 16, which permits of the initial tilting movement of the spacing-lever or actuator upon its axis independent of the swinging support or rockerarm therefor. This peculiarity of the linespacing mechanism should be particularly noticed because of its importance in connection with the operation of the line-locking mechanism to be described. The spacinglever is formed at one end with a gripping shoe 15 at one side of the pivot-point 16 of the lever or actuator. The shoe 15 of the spacing-lever or actuator 12 constitutes a gripping portion for engagement with the knurled wheel 7 and in the construction shown in the drawings (see Figs. 2, 3, and 4) projects at one side of-the plane of the pivot 16 and beyond the forward or lower edge of the swinging support or rocker-arm 14. To permit of this free oscillation of the lever without interference from any other part of the mechanism, the same is provided in one end thereof with a widened clearance-notch 17, through which extends the connectingpin 18, fitted to and projecting from one side of the rocker-arm 14. To this pin 18 is connected the free end of the retracting-spring 19,

which is preferably coiled about a portion of one of the brackets 3 and fixed at one end to the latter. (See Fig. 1.) The spring 19 exerts its tension in a direction to normally retract the rocker-arm 14 and theactuator carried thereby to a normal position ready for actuation by the operator, said spring also serving to retract the actuator against the stop element 20, which is presented thereto between the pivot 16 and the wheel 7, thereby oscillating the actuator sufficiently to move the gripping-shoe 15 thereof out of engagement or contact with the spacing element or wheel, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) and undue oscillation of the lever in this movement is prevented by the connecting-pin 18, which acts as a limiting-stop for this independent tilting movement of the actuator when the grippingshoe thereof moves away from the knurled or milled edge 8 of the spacing element or wheel 7.

When the finger of the operator is placed upon the key or finger-plate 13 of the actuator 12, the same is oscillated upon its pivot 16 and the shoe 15 is carried into gripping engagement with the spacing element or wheel 7, so that the continued downward movement of the actuator causes the spacing element or wheel 7 to rotate a distance equal to one linespace, this movement being definitely limited by a permanent arresting-stop 21, (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4,) preferably in the form of an extension projecting laterally from one side of an arm extension 22 of one of'the bearingbrackets.

An important feature of the Laganke linespacing mechanism, of which the foregoing is a brief description, resides in associating with the actuator 12 a stop device of novel form for securing fixed and universal adjustments of the mechanism; but as the variation of the line spacin g is a matter entirely distinct from the considerations underlying the present invention the novel stop device'will not be described in detail in this application, although one form thereof is illustrated in the drawings. (See particularly Fig. 1.) 7

It will appear from the foregoing description of the line-spacing mechanism and its relation to themovable machine member that the application of pressure to the outer end or finger-piece of the actuator 12 will first cause said actuator to rock independently upon its pivot 16 to present the gripping-shoe 15 to the knurled periphery of the spacing element 7 and will thereafter cause the rockerarm 14, the actuator 12, and the spacing element 7 to move in unison until the actuator abuts against the stop 21, the partial rotation of the spacing element 7 thus effected serving to advance the pinions 4 along the rails 5 the distance'of one line-space. Upon the release of the actuator the retractingspring 19 will cause'the rocker-arm 14 to swing back to its original position. This retractile movement of the arm serves to present the actuator to the stop 20, which by and final positions of the parts are shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings in full lines, the position of the actuator "after its initial independent movement is shown in said figure in dotted lines, and the positions of the parts at the termination of the forward movement of the machine are indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

I now'come to the description of the linespacing-lock mechanism; but before proceeding with an explanation of the construction and operation thereof it may be well to refer briefly to the considerations which led to the origination of the mechanism constituting an embodiment of the present invenion. As has been heretofore stated, machines of that type with which the invention is primarily designed to be employed are used extensively for writing in books and on letter-sheets, as well as for making up records and reports and for generalbilling purposes, and it may be mentioned, furthermore, that these machines are also specially adapted for tabulating. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the employment of the machine for these purposes necessitates the frequent shifting of the carriage to properly position the printing mechanism over the work-sheet resting on the platen. This is of course true Withrespect, to printing upon ordinary letter-sheets, as the carriage must be retracted to its initial position for the beginning of each new line; but in billing, tabulating, and other similar'forms of work this is'particularly true, because the carriage must not only be manipulated frequently, but must be shifted a number of tim'es as, for instance, from columnto columnwhi1ethe machine is still located ata single-line space. If theoperator is skilful and operates'themachineat considerable speed, the force 'used in throwing the carriage rapidly from one position to another has a tendency to jar the traveling machine-frame and to cause the latter to move slightly upon the rails. This accidental movement of the traveling machineframe either forward or back will necessarily cause a derangement ofthe printing mechanism with respect to the work, with the result that the several entries instead of being properly alined will be imprinted upon the sheet with objectionable irregularity. This accidental movement of the machine-frame, due to the rapid manipulation of the printing mechanism, is e'fiectually overcome by the provision of what I have termed a linespacing lock or line-spacing-lock mechanism. This mechanism is arranged to lock the movable machine member against movement whenever the machine-frame has been moved to any given position. i

The equipment of the machine with look ing mechanism of thischaracter has, however, been attended with some difficulty, because while the line-spacing-lock mechanism is desirable it must not interfere with such designed or intentional movement of themachine-frameas is necessary to'the proper operation of the type-writing machine. These intentional or designed movements of the machine-frame are ordinarily effected in two ways-first, by means of the linespacing mechanism through the manipulation of the spacing-lever or actuator 12 to effect a'line-forline progression of the type-writing, and, second,'by grasping the machine-frame (usually the center or intermediate frame-bar thereof) to move the frame freely either forward or backward-as, for instance, to position the printing mechanism over any particular portion of the work or to restore the machine to its original position at one end of the platen preparatory to the printing of a new sheet. It follows naturally that the line spacing lock must be effective to retain the movable machine element securely against accidental movement, but must not interfere with either of the designed or intentional manipulations of said element which have just been described.

The line-spacing lock proper comprises a pair of pivoted locking members or dogs 23 and 24:, having a common axis located at their upper or outerends and provided at their inner or lower extremities with gripping-faces 25 and 26, designed to engage the knurled periphery S'of the spacing element 7 at points sufficiently separated to cause said spacing element to be locked or dogged against movement in either direction by the locking members. These locking members 23 and 24 are disposed, as illustrated in Fig. Z of the drawings,-in divergent relation and are supported upon any suitable fixed part or attachment of the machine-frame, but preferably are formed IIO at their upper ends with overlapping circular bearings 27 and 28,'journa led upon a pivotscrew 29, screwed into a bracket 30, constituting the supporting element for the linespaci'ng'm'echan'ism and conveniently fitted or secured to the front of the traveling machine-frame l. A spacing disk or washer 31 is preferably interposedbetween the bracket and the adjacent circular bearing 27 of the locking member 24:.

The members 23 and 24 are provided with the spacing, element 7"to securely lockthe movable machine element against rotation in either direction; but it will also appear, as heretofore explained, that means must be provided for releasing the line-lock to permit the actuation of the spacing element through the manipulation of the line-spacing mechanism. This end is accomplished by providing the members 23 and 24 with angularly-related cam-faces 33 and 34, (see Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 7,) either integral with the members or formed upon cam-plates 35, attached thereto, and disposedin close contiguity when the grippingfaces 25 and 26 of the locking members 23 and 24 arein engagement with the spacing element 7. Intermediate of these cam-faces 33 and 34 is disposed a spreading-pin 36, extending laterally from one end of the line-spacinglock lever 37, preferably of bell-crank form, as shown, and pivoted at its angle upon a pivot-screw 3S, screwed into an outstanding arm of the bracket 30. The end of the linespacing-lock lever 37 opposite the spreadingpin 36 is formed with a longitudinally-curved tailpiece 39, formed upon an arc, which in one position of the lever 37 (see Fig. 3) will present the under face of the tailpiece 39 in concentric relation with the axis of the wheel 7. Normally, however, the tailpiece 39 is not disposed concentric with the Wheel 7, but drops across the side face thereof (see Fig. 2) and rests at its upper end upon a transverse projection or trip-pin 40, extending from the end of an extension or finger 41, secured to or integral with the inner or lower end of the actuator 12.

It has been heretofore explained that the gripping-shoe of thespacing lever or actuator 12 projects at one side of the plane of the pivot 16 of said lever, so that as the lever or actuator is swung upon its pivot the gripping-shoe will be presented to or withdrawn from the periphery of the spacing-wheel. In like manner the finger 41 is disposed at the opposite side of the plane of the pivot 16 that is to say, it is at the opposite end of the widened inner edge of the lever-so that as the lever or actuator is moved independentlythat is to say, is swung upon its own pivot to present the shoe 15 to the periphery of the wheel 7-the trip-pin 40 will be moved in an opposite direction to elevate the tailpiece 39 of the line-lock lever before the engagement is effected between the actuator and the spacing element. This elevation of the tailpiece 39 will of course effect the swinging of the lever 37, and the spreader or spreading-pin 36 will thus be forced toward the point of convergence of the two cam-faces 33 and 34 upon the locking members 23 and 24, with the result that said locking members will be swung in opposite directions or separated against the resistance of the spring 32 to remove the gripping-faces and 26 from engagement with the knurled periphery of the wheel 7. In this manner the line-spacing lock is automatically released by the initial independent movement of the actuator of the line-spacing mechanism and will not interfere with the line-for line progression of the machine frame efiected by the continued movement of the actuator 12 after it engages the spacing element.

By closely following the operation described the utility of the arcuate form of the tailpiece of the line-spacing-lock lever 37 will beobvious, since it is evident that after the initial movement of the line-spacing-lock. lever to withdraw the locking members or dogs from engagement with the wheel 7 it must be retained in its tripped position during the further movement of the actuator to rotate the spacing device. Therefore as this retention of the line-spacing-lock lever is efiected by the trip-pin and as said pin must necessarily move in an arc concentric with the axis of the Wheel 7 the tailpiece must have a similar concentric-relation, so that a proper engagement of the tailpiece and trip-pin may be maintained without further movement of the lever 37 until the actuator is again permitted to swing independently upon its pivot at the end of its retractile movement, at which time the parts will be restored to their normal positions by the disengagement of the gripping-shoe 15 from the wheel 7 and the engagement of said wheel by the locking members to lock the machine against such accidental movement, as has been heretofore defined. It will now appear that the machineframe will be locked against movement over the platen in either direction and that the actuation of the line-spacing mechanism will automatically effect the unlocking of the linespacing lock prior to the advance-movement .of the machine and the relocking thereof after such advance movement has been effected. It therefore remains only to explain the manner in which the line-spacing lock is released by the grasping of the machine-frame when it is desired to move the latter freely over the platen in the manner and for the purpose heretofore stated. The portion of the machine-frame which is usually grasped to effect this shifting of the machine is the center or intermediate frame-bar 41, and I therefore mo unt the line-spacing-lock releasing-lever 42 opposite to and preferably upon the frame-bar or standard 41, although it is evident that the relcasing-lever 42 will be placed at whatever point of the machine-frame is most conveniently grasped to shift the machine.

' The mounting of the releasing-lever 42 is preferably effected through the medium of the lever-supporting bracket 43, secured to the frame in any suitable manner and provided with outstanding bearing-ears 44 and 45 (see Figs. 1 and 6) at its upper and lower ends, the car 44 being provided for the pintle 46 of the lever 42 and the car 45 being dis posed to constitute a bearing for the inner end of what may be termed a line-lock shaft 47. The shaft 47 is provided adjacent to the ear 45 with a crank-arm 48, formed with a slot 49 for the reception of a transverse pin 50, passed through the bifurcated lower end of the release-lever 42, the effect of this connection being to partially rotate the line-lock shaft 47 through the oscillation of the lever 42, the upper end of which lever is formed with a finger-piece, as shown.

The shaft 47 has an additional bearing in a bearing-plate 51, secured to or integral. with the bracket 30, and its extremity opposite the releasing-lever is flattened to form a spreading-head 52, disposed to lie between the faces 53 and 54 of the locking members 23 and 24, these faces being normally disposed in parallel relation, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7. Under normal conditions the spreading-head 52 of the line-lock shaft 47 is disposed idly between the parallel faces 53 and 54, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5; but the partial rotation of the shaft 47, actuated by the releaselever 42, will cause the head 52 to be turned in a manner to spread the locking members 23 and 24, (see Fig. 4,) thereby releasing or unlocking the machine for free movement over theplaten in either direction. As soon, however, as the pressure is removed from the finger-piece of the releasing lever 42 the spring 32 will operate to automatically restore the locking members to their normal positions, and the machine will be again locked against accidental movement. In order, however, to insure against the possible failure of the spring 32 to overcome the resistance of the parts, an additional retracting-spring 55 iscoiled upon the shaft 47 adjacent to the bracket 43, one end of said spring being secured to a convenient part of the machineframe and the other to the shaft 47-as, for instance, through the medium of a collar 56.

Thus it will be seen that while the movable machine element is effectually locked against accidental movement in either direction the line-spacing lock does not interfere with the line-for-line advance of the machine through the manipulation of the line-spacing mechanism and, further, that the free movement of the machine over the platen may be effected by grasping the machine-frame in the usual manner, the act of grasping the frame preparatory to its movement serving to effect the release of the line-spacing-lock mechanism before such movement of the frame would result from the force employed.

Various modifications of the described construction will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art, and as such modifications of the line-spacing-lock mechanism may be necessary in carrying out the invention in connection with various types of type-writing machines it will be understood that many changes in the form, proportion, construction, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the invention.

What I claim is- 1. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with the line-spacing element located at one end of the machine-frame, of spacing-lock mechanism disposed to lock said element, and a release device for said mechanism mounted on the machine-frame at a point intermediate of the ends of the machine.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a rotary line-spacing element, of spacing-lock mechanism disposed to lock said element against movementin either direction, and a releasing device operatively related to the spacing-lock mechanism and mounted on the machine-frame ata point intermediate of the ends of said frame.

In a type-writing machine, the combination with a rotary line spacing element, of line-spacing mechanism, and spacing-lock mechanism operatively related to the rotary line-spacing element and to each other for interdependent operation, and a releasing device mounted on the machine-frame at a point remote from the spacing-lock mechanism intermediate of the ends of the machine, said releasing device being operatively connected with the spacing-lock mechanism.

4. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and aspacing-lock, of a plurality of independent releasing-levers for releasing said lock, and linespacing mechanism separate from but disposed to operate one of said levers and the line-spacing element.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, an actuator, and a spacing-lock,of a spacing-lock lever separate from the spacing-lock and actuator respectively but disposed for actuation b said actuator.

6. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, an actuator, and a spacing-lock, of a separate spacing-lock lever separate from but disposed to operate the spacing-lock and provided with a tailpiece disposed in the path of the actuator for actuation thereby.

7. Ina type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, an actuator having independent movement, and a spacin g-lock, of a spacing-lock lever separate from but disposed to operate the spacing-lock and provided with a tailpiece disposed in the path of the actuator for actuation thereby during the independent movement of the latter.

8. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, a spacinglock, and an actuator having a projection, of a spacing-lock lever separate from but disposed to operate the spacing-lock and having a tailpiece located to be moved by said projection and to be sustained thereby during the movement of the line-spacing element under the impulse of the actuator.

9. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, a spacinglock, and a swinging actuator having a projection and mounted for limited independent movement, of a spacing-lock lever for operating the spacing-lock and having a longitudinally-curved tailpiece disposed in the path of said projection during the independent movement of the actuator and designed to rest upon the projection while the actuator is swung to operate the line-spacing element.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame having a fram e-bar intermediate of its ends, of spacing-lock mechanism located at a point removed from the bar, and a releasing device contiguous to the bar and having operative relation with the spacing-lock mechanism, whereby the bar may be grasped and the releasing device operated simultaneously with the hand.

11. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame comprising a vertical frame-bar located intermediate of its ends, of spacing-lock mechanism located at or adjacent to one end of the frame, and a releasing device for said mechanism located at or adjacent to the vertical frame-bar, whereby the bar may be grasped and the releasing device operated simultaneously with one hand.

12. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame comprising a vertical frame-bar, of spacing-lock mechanism disposed at a point removed from the bar, a releasing-lever carried by and disposed opposite the bar, and suitable connections intermediate of the releasing-lever and locking in echanism.

13. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame, and spacing-lock mechanism, of a releasing-lever carried by the frame at a point removed from the spacinglock mechanism, a spacing-lock shaft operatively related at one end to the spacing-lock mechanism and provided with a crank-arm connected to the releasing-lever.

14. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and a pair oflocking members engaging the line-spacing element to lock it against movement in different directions, of an actuator and means for moving the locking members to their released positions through the movement of the actuator.

15. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and a pair of locking members engaging said element to retain it against movement in either direction, of a plurality of independent releasing devices, each of which is operatively related to the locking members to effect the simultaneous actuation of the latter.

16. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and apair of locking members engaging said element to lock it against movement in either direction, of a spacing-lock shaft disposed for rotation to efiect the simultaneous movement of said locking members to their released positions, and means for actuating the shaft.

17. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing'element, and a pair of locking members engaging said element to lock it against rotation in either direction, of a spacing-lock shaft and a lever, each having direct and'independent engagement with the locking members to effect the simultaneous movement of said members to their released positions.

18. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and a pair of locking members engaging said element to lock it against movementin either direction,

.of a spacing-lock lever provided with a spreading-pin disposed between the locking members, and a spacing-lock shaft having a spreading-head likewise disposed between the members, whereby the locking members may be thrown out of engagement with the spacing element through the medium of either the shaft or the lever.

19. In 'a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and a pair of locking members disposed to engage said spacing element to lock it against movement in either direction, of a spacing-lock lever provided with a tailpiece and with a spreading-pin disposed between the locking members, a spacing-lock shaft provided with a spreading-head likewise disposed between the against the resistance of the reactive means to effect the simultaneous disengagement of said members from the line-spacing element.

21. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and a pair of coaxial divergently related pivoted locking members disposed to engage said element, said locking members being formed to present contiguous parallel faces and angularly-related cam-faces, of a spreading-head disposed between the parallel faces of the locking members, a spreading-pin disposed between the angularly-related faces thereof, and means for actuating the spreading-head and the spreading-pin respectively to swing the locking members out of engagement with the line-spacing element.

22. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element and an actuator, of a pair of locking-dogs engaging said element to positively lock the same against movement in either direction.

23. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and means for actuating the same, of a pair of angularlyrelated locking-dogs engaging the line-spacing element at different points to lock the same positively against movement in either direction, and means for effecting the simultaneous disengagement of said dogs from the line-spacing'element.

y from a common axis and engaging the linespacing element at different points to retain the latter against movement in either direction, and means for moving said dogs out of engagement with the line-spacing element.

26. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with aline-spacing element, and means for actuating the same, of a pair of lockingdogs engaging the line-spacing element at different points to lock the same positively against movement in either direction, and means for effecting the simultaneous disengagement of said dogs from the line-spacing element.

27. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with a line-spacing element, and means for actuating the same, of a pair of angularlyrelated locking-dogs engaging the line-spacing element at different points to lock the same positively against movement in either direction.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER.

\Vitnesses:

GEORGE R. SHANE, A. R. WARNER. 

